Pentagon Signals Limited US Role In Ukraine Security As Europe Expected To Take Lead

Last Updated:August 21, 2025, 06:56 IST

Zelenskyy announced during a press briefing that Ukraine would purchase additional US-made arms.

President Trump hosted European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House

The Pentagon has once again reiterated its intention to play only a minimal role in providing security guarantees for Europe, according to a report by Politico citing a top defence officials. With the Trump administration signalling a reduced American contribution, the burden of long-term Ukrainian security guarantees is increasingly falling on Europe’s shoulders.

Elbridge Colby, the US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, clarified Washington’s stance during discussions concerning Ukraine’s future security framework. He was responding to pointed questions from senior European military leaders during a closed-door meeting led by Joint Chiefs Chair General Dan Caine.

Sources familiar with the recent talks between defence chiefs from key European nations revealed that the US was directly asked whether it would commit troops and air support to help enforce a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. Colby’s response marked one of the clearest signals yet that Washington expects Europe to take the lead in any post-war security architecture for Kyiv.

“There’s the dawning reality that this will be Europe making this happen on the ground," said a NATO diplomat who was briefed on the discussions. “The US is not fully committed to anything."

While President Trump did host European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House earlier this week in a symbolic show of unity, mixed messages emerged soon after. Zelenskyy announced during a press briefing that Ukraine would purchase additional US-made arms in a move interpreted by many as part of a broader deal aimed at securing long-term American support.

Initially, Trump declared on Monday that he was prepared to send US troops to Ukraine. However, by Tuesday, he had walked back that commitment, stating instead that he might consider offering air support for European forces. “I don’t know where that leaves us," one European official said. “Pretty much back to where we were in the spring with the coalition of the willing."

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who participated in the White House meeting, briefed all 32 alliance members in Brussels on Wednesday. According to NATO officials, Rutte also initiated preliminary discussions on the broader framework for security guarantees, with alliance members now working to develop actionable plans for their political leaders.

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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

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